The other counting scores were junior Anna Haugen in 26th place, seventh-grader Maria Brown in 32nd, and freshman Ali Manthey in 34th. Also running varsity were soph Kailey Erdahl in 35th and eighth-grader Gabby Jung in 36th.

“I was trying to take two more (runners) at the end but I could not do it, it was so painful,” said Schlegel. “But I bettered time adn I’m happy about that … The conference is really tough, lots of really good runners.”

Schlegel had an injury-plagued track season in the spring but is feeling fine now, she said.

“I haven’t had any troubles, and I’m so grateful that I don’t have to be away from my team,” said Schlegel.

The Andover Huskies and their star runner Nicole Heitzman, a junior, both repeated as champion. Andover was comfortably ahead of runner-up Armstrong 57 to 93.

Andover, unfortunately, moved into Elk River’s section, 7AA. The Elks have won that section the past two years but the Huskies will be the favorite this year, Oct. 27 at Cloquet.

The Elk squad has “so many little runners,” remarked Schlegel. The two juniors do their best to help and encourage them. “We try to make it fun,” said Haugen.

Team scoring

1. Andover 57

2. Armstrong 93

3. Coon Rapids 110

4. Elk Rver 116

5. Anoka 145

6. Park Center 147

7. Maple Grove 149

8. Centennial 153

9. Osseo 227

10. Champlin Park 228

11. Blaine 342

Elk runners in the back end churned toward the turn leading to the finishing stretch. (Photo by Bruce Strand)